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Schleswig-Holstein War: an ambulance arriving at a battlefield in Düppel 18 April 1864. Lithograph by W. Funke, 1864.

Pneumatics: an air-rifle and a kind of windmill. Engraving by J. Taylor.

1 print : engraving ; platemark 27.8 x 21.9 cm

Pneumatics: an air-rifle and a kind of spirit lamp [?]. Engraving by W. Lowry, 1802.

1 drawing : watercolour ; image 17.7 x 25.2 cm

Stockpile of cannonballs under trees, Afghanistan. Watercolour.

Two of the most colourful entrepreneurs of Georgian London are shown in combat: on the left the Scot James Graham and on the right the Prussian Gustavus Katterfelto. Both are shown using the fashionable electro-therapeutic machinery as part of their restorative and edifying products, Graham in sex-therapy and Katterfelto in the marvels of nature. Graham (left), in profile to the right, is standing on an E.O. table (similar to a roulette wheel), circular and surrounded by the letters E.O. (his establishment in Pall Mall was used for gambling on E.O. tables). He stands astride a long phallic electrical conductor, supported on a vase-shaped electrical insulator; each foot rests on a glass insulator. The conductor is inscribed 'Prime conductor, gentle restorer largest in the world', and the insulator supporting it is inscribed 'insulated'. In his left hand Graham holds up a phial or cylinder inscribed 'Medicated tube', he points at Katterfelto, saying, "That round vigour! that full-toned juvenile virility which speaks so cordially and so effectually home to the female heart, Conciliating its favour & friendship, and rivetting its Intensest affections away thou German maggot killer, thy fame is not to be compar'd to mine". He wears a physician's full-curled wig, a ruffled shirt, and a laced waistcoat
At Graham's feet stands a duck, on a label coming from its beak are the words "Quack. Quack. Quack", and a thistle indicating his Scottish origin. Other objects on the platform are the model of a cannon inscribed 'Coelestial musick' and two jars, one inscribed 'Leyden vial charg'd with load stones aromatic spices, &c. &c. &c'; the other 'Tin foil or antidote'
Above the further side of Graham's table (left) appear the heads and shoulders of two gigantic porters who were part of Graham's establishment. One (left) labelled Gog stands full-face, a placard round his neck: 'Temple of Health & of Hymen', the name of Graham's establishment at Schomberg House, Pall Mall, in allusion to his 'celestial bed' for the cure of sterility. The other footman, 'Magog', is in profile to the right. Attached to the wall above their heads is a stuffed alligator inscribed 'Cured of the dropsey & gout in the stomach'. Beneath this is a shelf, on it are a pestle and mortar, a bust, perhaps of Galen, and a monkey seated in profile to the right holding up a phial in imitation of Graham
Katterfelto's stage is a flimsy rectangular structure supported on thin planks, with cross planks, one decorated with a skull and cross-bones, the other by insects, &c. (a butterfly, centipede, moth, and worm). He crouches over a cylindrical conductor supported on a pillar, similar to, but not identical with, that of his rival; it is inscribed, 'Positively charg'd'; his feet rest on the base of its pillar, a trident on its other end touches a barrel-shaped electrostatic generator which is being turned by a devil with horns and breasts, who says, "Away with it my dear son I'll find fire eternally for you". Katterfelto embraces his electrical conductor with one arm, while his right hand points at Graham; sparks come from his thumb, forefinger, and wig, from a spike on the front of his conductor, and also drop from his chin. He is saying "Dare you was see de vonders of the varld, which make de hair stand on tiptoe, Dare you was see mine tumb and mine findgar, fire from mine findger and feaders on mine tumb - dare you was see de gun fire viddout ball or powder, dare you was see de devil at mine A[rs]e-- O vonders! Vonders! Vonderfull vonders!"
The chain of sparks from Katterfelto's chin drops on to the touch-hole of a toy cannon at his feet so as to fire it in the direction of Graham. His attitude and profile express intense excitement, and his whole person appears charged with electricity; the hair on his forehead stands up, his long pigtail queue flies out behind him as do his coat-tails. Other objects on his platform, besides the electrical appliance which he is grasping, the devil's generator and the cannon, are a Leyden jar, a small rectangular box inscribed 'Arcanum sublimum' and 'Mask'd battery', a toy windmill, a square bottle inscribed 'Tinctr Aurum Vivae', a thunder-house, raised above its base, inscribed 'Thunder house', a bag or small sack inscribed 'Aurora Borealis', and an insect resembling a scorpion (one of the wonders of nature). Beneath the platform is a 'Reservoir for dead insects destroy'd by Dr Katterf[elto]'; insects are indicated carved on the plank

1 print : etching ; platemark 24.7 x 34.8 cm

James Graham and Gustavus Katterfelto in combat using electrotherapy machines as weapons. Etching, 1783.

One of a series of 'hidden picture' drawing games issued by Beechams Pills Limited, advertising Beechams Pills and Beecham's Powders, active against symptoms of the common cold. When a "piece of glowing string" is applied to the right-corner, a hidden message or image appears (artillery cannon).

Drug advertising ephemera. Box 15

Beecham's "oracle" : this novelty is the property of Beechams Pills Limited, St. Helens, England : (registered trade mark no. 586676).

The victims of the American Civil war are compared to those crushed under the chariot of the Hindu deity Jagannath

1 print : wood engraving ; image 22 x 36 cm

A large cannon pushed forwards by Furies crushes American soldiers under its wheels; representing the American Civil War. Wood engraving after J. Tenniel, 1864.

1 print : engraving ; image 15.2 x 25.4 cm

Royal Naval Hospital, Greenwich, with ships and rowing boats in the foreground. Engraving by T. Bowles, 1753.

1 print : process print, with watercolour ; image 13.5 x 20.4 cm

The Hospital of Bethlem [Bedlam], St. George's Fields, Lambeth. Coloured process print.

Biblioteca storica

Tecnica, società e cultura : alle origini della supremazia tecnologica dell'Europa (XIV-XVII secolo) / Carlo M. Cipolla ; [traduzione di Franco Praussello].

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Schleswig-Holstein War: an ambulance arriving at a battlefield in Düppel 18 April 1864. Lithograph by W. Funke, 1864.

Pneumatics: an air-rifle and a kind of windmill. Engraving by J. Taylor.

Pneumatics: an air-rifle and a kind of spirit lamp [?]. Engraving by W. Lowry, 1802.

Stockpile of cannonballs under trees, Afghanistan. Watercolour.

James Graham and Gustavus Katterfelto in combat using electrotherapy machines as weapons. Etching, 1783.

Beecham's "oracle" : this novelty is the property of Beechams Pills Limited, St. Helens, England : (registered trade mark no. 586676).

A large cannon pushed forwards by Furies crushes American soldiers under its wheels; representing the American Civil War. Wood engraving after J. Tenniel, 1864.

Royal Naval Hospital, Greenwich, with ships and rowing boats in the foreground. Engraving by T. Bowles, 1753.

The Hospital of Bethlem [Bedlam], St. George's Fields, Lambeth. Coloured process print.

Tecnica, società e cultura : alle origini della supremazia tecnologica dell'Europa (XIV-XVII secolo) / Carlo M. Cipolla ; [traduzione di Franco Praussello].

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Schleswig-Holstein War: an ambulance arriving at a battlefield in Düppel 18 April 1864. Lithograph by W. Funke, 1864.

Pneumatics: an air-rifle and a kind of windmill. Engraving by J. Taylor.

Pneumatics: an air-rifle and a kind of spirit lamp [?]. Engraving by W. Lowry, 1802.

Stockpile of cannonballs under trees, Afghanistan. Watercolour.

James Graham and Gustavus Katterfelto in combat using electrotherapy machines as weapons. Etching, 1783.

Beecham's "oracle" : this novelty is the property of Beechams Pills Limited, St. Helens, England : (registered trade mark no. 586676).

A large cannon pushed forwards by Furies crushes American soldiers under its wheels; representing the American Civil War. Wood engraving after J. Tenniel, 1864.

Royal Naval Hospital, Greenwich, with ships and rowing boats in the foreground. Engraving by T. Bowles, 1753.

The Hospital of Bethlem [Bedlam], St. George's Fields, Lambeth. Coloured process print.

Tecnica, società e cultura : alle origini della supremazia tecnologica dell'Europa (XIV-XVII secolo) / Carlo M. Cipolla ; [traduzione di Franco Praussello].

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